Baptism = Christian?

[Mave]

Hi all,

I have friends who say they're christian but they have not been baptized. Is baptism a prerequisite to being a christian? I'm tempted to believe that if someone who has committed his/her life to Jesus, would naturally want to get baptized. Therefore, I usually don't consider someone a christian until they have been baptized. Am I wrong?

I'm wondering whether my friends who call themselves christians may actually be at the enquirer/seeker stage.

[Mithrandir]

Hey MT: This is one of those topics that tend to get people upset. Baptism is one of the tennants of faith of quite a few denominations, but even in protistant circles, there is a great deal of discussion about this one - and biblical arguments both for and against. Everyone be nice, OK?

[Mave]

Don't mean to cause any trouble. So sorry! I guess I should take it down to theology discussions? I had no idea..... baka baka no Michiru

[Gypsy]

[size=84]Very good question. Without going into too much detail - it all depends who you ask. Like oldphil said, some denominations believe that to truly be saved, you must make the public statement with a water baptism. Others teach that you only have to confess with your heart and mouth that you believe Jesus Christ was and is God's Son that died to save us all - and then you are saved. There are verses that appear to support both sides. It really is something that depends on which denomination you follow. If you don't follow a particular denomination, then it really is an answer that you have to seek out for yourself.

Personally, I have been baptized in water. I was not taught that it was something I had to do in order to be saved, but it was something that I felt was important.

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[Mithrandir]

Don't worry. I don't think you were trying to cause trouble. I'm not very good a the whole "Let everyone know to play nice in this thread without making the original poster look like a troublemaker." Hmm. I'll go practice this one...

[madphilb]

I don't have any links currently (I can look it up later), but I'd suggest that you read what Messianic Jews have to say about the subject, as it puts the origins of baptism in the perspective of what it was. I think you'll find some variety of opinion even among Messianics as there are amongst Christians.

Much of what we see in the Bible are Jewish practices, and with the perspective of what those thing where, and what they meant, we get a better picture of why we do them.

Personally I've been baptised (as a statement of faith) I think that it's a great visual statement of our faith.

I'll post more when I've got some of those links available.

[Gremio]

The idea originated from the Jewish practise of imersion in whats called a "mikveh". This practise commonly happened during conversion, and was seen as a symbol, the person would step into the mikveh, be washed clean, and step out an entirely different person, along the lines of being born again.

[Kisa]

Salvation is an inward change and acceptance and faith in God.
Baptism is an outward symbol to your salvation.

[cbwing0]

I agree with what has already been said. As a Baptist, I support water baptism as an outward statement of faith, although not as a prerequisite for salvation. It is something that you should[i] do, but not something that you [i]have to do. I also know people who were baptized after coming to a new church, as a sign of goodwill and fellowship. That is a bit more controversial, but I suppose it is still fine.

[Michael]

I say take the topic and turn it around. 'Christianity=Baptism'

[That Dude]

I don't think you have to be baptized to be a Christian. But it is an outward confermation that you are one of Christ's kids. I don't think that desert nomads that are christians get baptized (they might though) and I think we'll see them in heaven. Yeah many theologins say that to be saved there has to be an outward conformation of Christianity...For some people that might be baptism...Some that confermation is something else.

That is my 2/100 of a dollar.

[EireWolf]

Baptism is definitely biblical... type "baptized" into a Bible search engine and you'll get a whole slew of results.

Mark 16:15-16-- "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Notice it does not say, "whoever does not get baptized will be condemned."

I believe that we should be baptized as believers, because our Lord Jesus was baptized, and there are plenty of verses about baptism to suggest it's something Christians generally do. I believe that baptism is a step of obedience... there's no good reason not to do it. However, I do not believe that one is condemned just because one has not been baptized. Presumably, the thief on the cross next to Christ was not baptized, but Jesus told him, "Today you will be with me in paradise."

[FireStarter2003]

Some thoughts concerning water baptism:

While water baptism is not something salvific in nature, it is still very important for various reasons. Primarily, water baptism is a visible and physical sign that we have died with Christ, our old life is buried, and we have arisen to newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). Secondly, water baptism is the covenant sign of our spiritual circumcision (Col. 2:11-12). Thirdly, water baptism was commanded by Christ in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:15-16), and fourthly, the apostles preached and practiced it (Acts 2:38, 10:47).

As part of our response of faith, and in obedience to the Word of God, believers should joyfully and willingly desire to be baptized. Water baptism doesn't make you a Christian, but becoming a Christian should lead you to follow Christ's obedient example in water baptism. While water baptism may not be something that saves you, the reality that it represents is truly powerful. I know of people who, upon being baptized, have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, have received freedom from certain bondages, and have been blessed thoroughly. I would encourage any new believer to not delay, but to be baptized as soon as possible, and to any Christian who has postponed baptism, as the Nike ad says, "Just do it!"

Blessings to y'all!

[Bobtheduck]

It's not a prerequisite for salvation (confess with your mouth, and believe in your heart) but it's something that someone who is saved will do, because it is part of confessing publically what you believe. You definately aren't a Christian if you can't proclaim it publically. And by publically I mean to someone other than God

BTW the guy on the cross who Jesus said would be with him in Paradise, he wasn't babtised... Babtism is just one of many physical signs that's you've give your life to Jesus.